So I’m going to divulge some ongoing thoughts here.. and slowly bring them all back in together. (Since I don’t have time to hit all of them now…)
I was thinking the other day about things people need. I’m looking around my campus and my city and I’m just watching people doing life. And as my mind gets going, I start listing them…
The 5 C’s..
Community
Consistency
Committment
Courage
Communication
I look at these five things and in some way or another, I believe I can relate them back as things every single person needs. Essentially, the five required c’s of life.
Let me start with consistency.
Just last week I was talking with a friend about my crazy life and in jest I remarked how I’m beginning to wonder if I truly even know what normal is anymore.
It’s funny how often I think about this. We all do. It’s as if every day is an attempt on our behalf, against greater odds, to achieve “normal.”
Think about it this way… Chances are if you’re a coffee drinker (I sincerely mean real coffee drinkers) you have an addiction to one famous coffee chain or another… be it Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, Dunkin’ Donuts- you pick. Now think about your loyalty to that establishment. How often do you go? Once a week, once a month… twice a week… twice a day? Chances are there are quite a few of you out there that that visit happens almost daily. In fact, for some it’s probably become part of your “normal” morning routine. And what do you get when you go into that store? A different drink every time? A varying degree of drinks depending on the morning’s mood? Or is there a certain drink… you’re drink… that always comes out for you? (Chances are there are a few of you “regulars” who don’t even have to open your mouth before that drink is underway by faithful employees who know you by name, drink and arrival time)
See where I’m going with this?
Or maybe you’re “that jogger” who does three miles every morning. (More power to those of you who can accomplish that… you have my deepest respect.) Or you’re “that customer” in the lunch line at the local sandwhich shop. Or “that member” at the local gym.
Whatever your objection be, chances are you’re life radiates consistency.
I have several friends who work at Starbucks. I love from time to time to just watch them get caught up in their stories about their “regulars.” The same people, showing up at the same time, on the same days (usually daily), for the same drink. I refer back to the coffee concept to say this…. no, not that coffee should be a “c” on our list but the coffee theory just proves the consistency idea to a greater degree… That is, no matter how chaotic a person’s life may be between being a busy professional starting the day with a grande, triple shot latte or to that of a soccer mom on the going who’s been up since five am to dress the family- we all long for some type of consistency.. whether we find that in our coffee or our work-out routine… we cling to that which in some way brings us back to that small place we call “normal.”
Don’t believe me? Try taking the most consistent part of your life out for a week. (No, not jobs or classes- you can’t really just cut those) It’s the same idea of people who go on vacation and come back needing a vacation because they were so busy trying to do it all. They tend to be the people who are always busy and can’t live without that same chaos- even on vacation. I think that by cutting out your small addiction, you’ll find I’m a little close then you care to admit.
Think about it..
